Electric circuit control mechanism



Patented Aug. 16, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to mechanism especially adapted for controlling thecontact points of an electric circuit in a signal system through theaction of a power operated disc or wheel, in conjunction with anelectro-magnet arranged in a separately controlled electric circuit; thepresent application covering subject matter divided out of my pendingapplication Serial Number 682,251, filed July 26, 1933.

The purposes and advantages of my invention will be readily comprehendedfrom the following detail description of the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view in elevation of my improved mechanism.

Figure 2 is a detail view in side elevation of the driven wheel of themechanism, showing the side opposite to that disclosed in Figure 1.

The specific embodiment of the invention, as illustrated, involves apower driven disc or wheel 20 I0 adapted to rotate in a given directioneither through the medium of its shaft I l or in any suitable manner. I2represents a suitable armature arranged in an electric circuit, theleads whereof are shown at I3, and pivotally mounted at I4 is 25 anarmature I5 adapted to be attracted by the electro-magnet I 2 when thelatter is energized. The armature I5 is provided with a pair of contactsprings I6 and I7 which normally are spaced apart or arranged in openposition; the contact springs I6 and I'I are both provided with contactpoints I8 and I9, respectively, the contact springs being arranged inthe electric circuit to be controlled, a portion of the lead linewhereof is shown at 20 connected to spring I6; while the contact springII is grounded as shown at 2 I.

The end of the pivoted armature I5 has a knurled wheel 22 journaledthereon so as to be free to rotate when the latter is brought intocontact with the power operated disc or wheel I0. One side of theknurled wheel 22 is provided with a coil spring 23, one end whereof isiixedly secured to the axle or spindle oi wheel 22; (the spring beingcoiled thereabout) while the other end of the spring is xedly secured tothe armature I5; the normal tendency of the spring being to rotate wheel22 back to normal position when the latter is free of the power drivendisc or wheel I0.

Secured to the spindle or aXle of Wheel 22 are a pair of ngers 24 and25; the lingers being 30 adapted to rotate with the spindle or axle towhich wheel 22 is xedly secured. Finger 24 is adapted to engage contactspring I and force its contact point I8 into contact with point I 9 onspring I'I; the latter spring being preferably of a I5 stiff type so asnot to flex and to constitute a stop for finger 25 when the wheel 22 isreturned to normal position through the action of its coil spring 23.

It is assumed that power operated wheel I is rotating in clockwisedirection and that the circuit of electro-magnet I2 has been closed thusenergizing the electro-magnet. Energizing the electro-magnet causes thearmature I5 to be attracted toward the magnet and hence swing the freeend of the armature toward the right in Figure l thereby bringing theknurled wheel or disc 22 into operative relation with the disc or WheelIll, with the result that knurled wheel 22 will be rotated incounter-clockwise direction in Figure 1. Such counter-clockwise rotationof Wheel 22 will cause the nger 24 to swing to the left in Figure 1 andbe brought into contact with contact spring I6 thereby closing a circuitwhich involves lead line 20.

As soon as the electric circuit of lead lines I3 20 and hence ofelectro-magnet I2 has been disrupted, it causes deenergization of magnetI2, allowing the armature I5 to swing back to normal position, movingwheel 22 out of contact with the power-driven wheel I0. As soon as wheel22 has 25 been moved out of contact with wheel I0, the spring 23, whichcontrols the spindle of wheel 22, will rotate the spindle and Wheel 22back to normal position, namely in clockwise direction ln Figure 1,until nger is brought into contact 30 character described, a poweroperated Wheel; an 40 electromagnet;

points; a wheel rotatably mounted on said armamoved into operativeengagement with the power operated wheel when the armature is attractedby said electromagnet; means carried by the second mentioned wheeladapted to move said Contact points into engagement with each other; andmeans whereby said second mentioned wheel and said first mentioned meansare returned to normal position when said electromagnet is deenergizedand the armature swings back to normal position.

2` In electric circuit control mechanism of the character described, apower operated wheel; an electromagnet; a swingingly mounted gravitycontrolled armature provided with a pair of normally spaced circuitcontrolling contact points; a wheel rotatably mounted on the armatureand adapted to be moved into operative engagement with the poweroperated wheel when the armature is attracted by said electromagnet; apair of 10 fingers adjustably secured to the spindle of the secondmentioned wheel, one of said fingers being adapted to move the contactpoints into engagement with each other when said wheel is rotated Whilethe other nger constitutes a stop for said second mentioned wheel in itsreverse rotation; and a coil spring whereby said second mentioned wheelis rotated to normal position when the electromagnet is deenergized andsaid armature swings back to its normal position.

MARTIN A. JOHNSON.

